Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

DS got invited to an indoor pool party. None of us are excited to go swimming at the local rec center pool. The family is new to our school and family seems very nice. Pool is 1.5 hrs and party room is 1.5 hours.

Would it be rude to go to just the party room portion and bring a gift?

Or better to just decline?

Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

I think if you attend at all, it should be for the whole party.

Why do you not want to do the pool part?

Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

Can you say that you won't be able to attend the party until later and just ask if it would be okay to show up for party room portion, since you don't want to miss out on the entire party.

Re: Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

Re: Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

If they're paying per kid, then no I would not attend unless he went to the entire party.

Re: Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

Only attend if he will attend the whole party.

ETA: I didn't see the reason was because your child only wants to swim outside. If your child enjoys swimming, I'd encourage him to go. I know my son is disappointed when his friends don't attend his party. Have your son put himself in his friend's place.

Message edited 11/30/2016 10:48:36 AM.

Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

I would do all or nothing. Being that it's a new kid that might get more no's than someone they've all known for years I might push your son a little more about going and helping the new kid have a special birthday even if the pool isn't his first choice.

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Re: Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

Re: Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

It's a good opportunity to teach your child that sometimes we do things like activities that aren't our favorite to be a good friend. This day is about the birthday boy and not your child.

I just brought my super Tom-boy anti-pink princess hating daughter to a friend's princess party and to my surprise she totally pretending to like it for the party to make her friend happy.

Re: Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

Posted by Sparrow

Posted by M514

Posted by MrsT809

I would do all or nothing. Being that it's a new kid that might get more no's than someone they've all known for years I might push your son a little more about going and helping the new kid have a special birthday even if the pool isn't his first choice.

This. I also feel like it's about celebrating the birthday child and what they like to do, not necessarily what your child does or does not want to do. Either go for the whole thing or don't go at all.

Re: Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

Message edited 11/29/2016 8:59:25 PM.

Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

I think it's rude. I would do all or nothing.

Re: Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

I seem to have the unpopular vote here, but I personally don't see a problem with not being there for the whole thing. I feel like if it were my child's party, I'd rather the person show up and my DS could see they came, they all enjoy some pizza... everybody wins - rather than not showing up at all. I'm just generally easygoing and less formal with that sort of thing though. It's a kids party.

ETA-- I'd just make the host know ahead of time.

Message edited 11/30/2016 12:04:40 AM.

Re: Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

If you said your DS couldn't swim and was embarrassed or had a phobia of water, I would say level with the host mom and ask if you can just stop by for cake.

Given the real circumstances, yes I do think it is rude. I agree with the others to encourage your DS to try the pool for the sake of his friend even though it's not his first choice. Maybe DS could just go in the shallow end for a bit? It will probably mean a lot to the birthday child to have him there since they are new to the area.

Re: Rude to only attend eating portion of pool party?

I don't think it's rude if you tell the host in advance your DS is only able to attend the 2nd half of the party. You can just say you have a conflict, she doesn't need to know your DS isn't interested in swimming. I'm sure they'd rather he be there for some of the party than not at all.